Becoming a whale researcher

Many people share an interest in whales and dolphins; competition is heavy. In order to maximize your chances, it is important to remember that qualifications as a scientist, a communicator and a team player are more in demand than simply passion or enthusiasm for these animals. It is therefore necessary to prepare one’s “tools”. To become a whale researcher, you must have:

• a solid background in science combined with a variety of experience;
• a good writing skills and an ability to make oral presentations, in either English or French;
• a mastery of the English language, both written and oral, and possibly another language such as Spanish;
• a university education, depending on the job sought

The study of whales or dolphins is a vast field; few universities offer specialized programmes. The best thing to do is to speak to a guidance counsellor and visit several universities to get to know their programmes. Depending on your interests, you may require a simple bachelor’s degree, or you may decide to continue on to the Ph.D. level.

There are a variety of jobs related to the world of marine mammals, for example, research, laboratory techniques, training of animals in captivity, veterinary medicine and nature interpretation.

What is most important is to be informed, discover your interests and take advantage of every opportunity to gain experience.

For more details, consult the advice column of the Society for Marine Mammalogy